Moderate overlap front

Rating applies to 2007-09 models built after May 2007

Tested vehicle: 2007 Ford Mustang GT 2-door convertible

The Ford Mustang was redesigned for the 2005 model year and modified beginning with 2007 models manufactured after May 2007 to reduce the likelihood of door opening in frontal offset crashes (note: information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on or near the driver door).

Two tests of a 2007 Mustang convertible were conducted, one before the door modifications were made, and one after. During the first crash test, the window glass in the down position pushed on the driver door latch linkage, and the door opened. Ford responded by adding structure in the doors to prevent the window glass from contacting the latch mechanism and asked the Institute to test the Mustang again. In the second test, the driver door did not open.

The two cars are rated separately, but the overall rating for each is Acceptable.

Overall evaluation

A

Structure and safety cage

A

Injury measures

Head/neck

A

Chest

G

Leg/foot, left

G

Leg/foot, right

A

Restraints and dummy kinematics Dummy movement was reasonably well controlled. The dummy's head hit the A-pillar, which bent downward and inward during the crash.

A

Action shot taken during the frontal offset crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained reasonably well.

Smeared greasepaint indicates where the dummy's head hit the A-pillar. Head acceleration from this hit was low.

Forces on the lower right leg were just high enough to indicate the possibility of injuries.

Rating applies to 2005-07 models built before June 2007

Tested vehicle: 2007 Ford Mustang GT 2-door convertible

The Ford Mustang was redesigned for the 2005 model year and modified beginning with 2007 models manufactured after May 2007 to reduce the likelihood of a door opening in frontal offset crashes (note: information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on or near the driver door).

Two tests of the 2007 Mustang convertible were conducted, one before the door modifications were made, and one after. During the first crash test, the window glass in the down position pushed on the driver door latch linkage, and the door opened. Ford responded by adding structure in the doors to prevent the window glass from contacting the latch mechanism and asked the Institute to test the Mustang again. In the second test, the driver door did not open.

The two cars are rated separately, but the overall rating for each is Acceptable.

Overall evaluation

A

Structure and safety cage

A

Injury measures

Head/neck

G

Chest

G

Leg/foot, left

G

Leg/foot, right

A

Restraints and dummy kinematics Dummy movement was reasonably well controlled. However, the dummy's head hit the A-pillar, which bent downward and inward during the crash. During rebound, the head hit the top of the A-pillar. Late in the crash, the driver door opened. This opening didn't significantly affect dummy movement during the test but shouldn't happen because, in some crashes, it could allow partial or complete occupant ejection.

P

Action shot taken during the frontal offset crash test.

The dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained reasonably well.

Smeared greasepaint indicates where the dummy's head hit the A-pillar twice. Head accelerations from these hits were low.

The driver door opened, which could allow occupant ejection in some crashes.

Side

The Ford Mustang was redesigned for the 2005 model year. Beginning with 2007 models manufactured after January 2007, the optional side airbags were modified to improve occupant protection in side impact crashes (note: information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on or near the driver door). Beginning with 2008 models, the side airbags were made standard.

Overall evaluation

G

Structure and safety cage

G

Driver injury measures

Head/neck

G

Torso

A

Pelvis/leg

G

Head protection

G

Rear passenger injury measures

Head/neck

G

Torso

G

Pelvis/leg

G

Head protection

M

View of the vehicle just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with door removed, showing the side airbag and damage to the occupant compartment.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the driver dummy's head was protected from being hit by hard structures by the side airbag.

Smeared red and yellow greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was hit by the interior side trim.

The Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) shares and supports this mission through scientific studies of insurance data representing the human and economic losses resulting from the ownership and operation of different types of vehicles and by publishing insurance loss results by vehicle make and model.